CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Toledo started preparing for Illinois early.
Not early as in fall camp or spring practice. The Rockets began game-planning in January.
Jason Candle and the coaching staff understood the importance of Saturday’s game, not just because Illinois is a Big Ten school. The magnitude was heightened because the defending Mid-American Conference champions were a legitimate Group of Five New Year’s Six contender.
Perhaps a 12-1 Toledo team can still break through, but the dream took a devastating thrash on Saturday night in a last-second 30-28 loss to the Fighting Illini.